Gen. John Allen: A Marine of distinction

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US Cmdr. in Afghanistan investigated

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Gen. Allen's stellar Marine career makes it hard for those who know him to write him off

Allen has a habit of replying to every e-mail he gets, an official close to him says

Allen did not have an affair with Jill Kelley, the official says

Allen is a married father of two daughters

A story told about Marine Gen. John Allen while commanding troops in Iraq describes his ability to inspire the loyalty.

A mortar shell landed near a mess hall where Allen was eating, sending a young soldier under the table for cover. Allen, who remained upright during the attack, bent over and said to him, "Son, you're not going to win the war from down there."

Allen may be tempted to find cover under a mess hall table this week as he has been entangled in the sex scandal that ended the career of Gen. David Petraeus, who he followed as commander of international troops in Afghanistan.

"He has faith in General Allen, believes he is doing and has done an excellent job at ISAF," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday.

"His leadership has been instrumental in achieving the significant progress that ISAF, working alongside our Afghan partners, has made in bringing greater security to the Afghan people in ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists," Defense Department spokesman George Little said.

Fran Townsend, who served as Homeland Security Adviser in the last Bush administration, called him "a competent, respected, admired leader of troops."

Allen's military career began when he graduated with honors from the Naval Academy in1976. He returned there in 1988 to teach in the political science department, earning the "military instructor of the year" award in 1990.

He became the first Marine to be appointed commandant of midshipmen, the second highest post at the Naval Academy, in 2002.

When Allen was promoted from colonel to brigadier general in 2003, he was made principal director of Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He held the position for nearly three years.

He served in Iraq as commanding general of the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade from 2006 to 2008. He championed the "Sunni Awakening" strategy that organized and paid former insurgents or sympathizers who turned against al Qaeda.

Allen was posted in Tampa, Florida, as deputy commander the U.S. Central Command from July 2008 until June 2011, when he took over the Afghanistan command.

It was in Tampa that Allen met Jill Kelley, who was already a friend of Patraeus.

Allen holds three master degrees -- from Georgetown University, the Defense Intelligence College and the National War College.

The left chest of his Marine dress uniform is covered with military decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars in lieu of four awards.